Ibrahim Traoré vows to intervene in Burkina Faso football despite FIFA sanctions threat

By Kate Gaduna

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Burkina Faso president Ibrahim Traoré has announced plans for his government to intervene directly in the running and development of football in the country, despite the possibility of sanctions from FIFA.

Traoré says the government has reached a point where it can no longer stand aside and watch the problems surrounding the country’s football continue. He acknowledged that government involvement could lead to a suspension from FIFA, but insisted that this would not stop his administration from taking action.

“We have no choice; we have to step in, regardless of whether we get suspended or not,” Traoré said.

The Burkinabè leader says the planned intervention is not simply about taking control of football administration. According to him, the focus will be on putting better structures in place, improving infrastructure and giving players better support and working conditions.

“We are going to inject new energy so that people feel more at ease and can give their best,” he added.

Government interference in the affairs of a national football federation is normally a sensitive issue for FIFA, which insists that member associations must manage their affairs independently and without political interference.

A government takeover or direct interference could therefore expose Burkina Faso to disciplinary measures, including a possible suspension from international football.

For Traoré, however, the potential consequences appear to be secondary to what he believes is the need to fix the country’s football system.

The president’s comments are likely to generate debate within Burkina Faso and beyond, particularly over where the line should be drawn between government investment in football and direct control of football administration.

Burkina Faso has established itself as one of Africa’s emerging football nations in recent years, and Traoré’s government now wants to build on that progress by creating what it believes will be a better environment for players and the wider football community.